I entered projections from these three systems into a spreadsheet and calculated the averages for Tiger hitters and pitchers. With the season a quarter of the way done and the Tigers roaring along with a 27-13 record, I thought it would be a good time to compare the current performances of Tiger players to the pre-season projections. To keep it simple, I used OPS for hitters and ERA for pitchers. The results are tabulated in the tables below.Here are the highlights:

Jeremy Bonderman (-0.34) and Todd Jones (-0.07) are both close to their projected ERAs.

There are more players (especially pitchers) overachieving than underachieving which explains why they are 27-13. This, of course, is a great result in retrospect.Looking ahead, it can be viewed as a good thing or a bad thing. The positive difference between projected and actual stats could mean that players are actually better than their statistical expectations and will continue to perform at the same level. Conversely, it could mean that they are off to flukey starts and will regress back towards their projection as the season moves along.

My guess is that the statistical expectations ofGuillen and Ordonez were tempered by their injury history and that they will continue to perform at a high level if they stay healthy.On the other hand, I expect Shelton and Inge to drop back a bit but maybe not all the way back to their projections.Polanco and Monroe will likely improve.

Pitchers are always more difficult to figure out than hitters but so many pitchers are so wildly overachieving that I have to believe that a few of them will regress towards their projections.I believe the Tiger success this year will depend upon just how far the pitchers slip back.